The U.S. Air Force ordered its first three Boeing jets for the president and other high-ranking officials 55 years ago, on May 15, 1958. The jets were designated SAM (Special Air Mission) 970, 971 and 972. The call sign Air Force One applies to any Air Force airplane carrying the president. less

The U.S. Air Force ordered its first three Boeing jets for the president and other high-ranking officials 55 years ago, on May 15, 1958. The jets were designated SAM (Special Air Mission) 970, 971 and 972. The ... more

Photo: Nat Farbman, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

The U.S. Air Force ordered its first three Boeing jets for the... Photo-4622057.62307 - seattlepi.com

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The VC-137A was based on the military version of Boeing's 707 jetliner. The aircraft initially bore the logo of the Military Air Transport Service.

The VC-137A was based on the military version of Boeing's 707 jetliner. The aircraft initially bore the logo of the Military Air Transport Service.

Photo: Nat Farbman, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

The VC-137A was based on the military version of Boeing's 707... Photo-4622058.62307 - seattlepi.com

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The jets were a big step up from Dwight Eisenhower's Lockheed VC-121E, which was a military version of the Constellation. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower christened it "Columbine III" in honor of the official flower of Colorado, her adopted home state, on Nov. 24, 1954. less

The jets were a big step up from Dwight Eisenhower's Lockheed VC-121E, which was a military version of the Constellation. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower christened it "Columbine III" in honor of the official ... more

Photo: U.S. Air Force Photo

The jets were a big step up from Dwight Eisenhower's Lockheed... Photo-2524005.62307 - seattlepi.com

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President Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first president to travel by jet. Here, he greets Portuguese President Americo R. Tomas in Lisbon in 1960.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first president to travel by jet. Here, he greets Portuguese President Americo R. Tomas in Lisbon in 1960.

Photo: Ed Clark, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

President Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first president to travel... Photo-4622069.62307 - seattlepi.com

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President John F. Kennedy initially used the same aircraft, albeit with the new "United States of America" logo. Here, Kennedy arrives on Oct. 7, 1961 at Quonset Point Naval Air Station, R.I.

President John F. Kennedy initially used the same aircraft, albeit with the new "United States of America" logo. Here, Kennedy arrives on Oct. 7, 1961 at Quonset Point Naval Air Station, R.I.

Industrial designer Raymond Loewy saw Air Force One in March 1962, met with the aide in charge of the president's travel and declared the paint gaudy and poorly applied, according to a report for the ... more

Loewy donated his firm's services and initially brought four schemes, which all maintained a red theme, the Air Force
standard, according to the AIGA writeup. President Kennedy chose this now-iconic design, and asked for a change from red to blue,
his favorite
color. The color change took special dispensation from Secretary of
Defense Robert McNamara.

Here, the first presidential jet, SAM 970, arrives at Seattle's Museum of Flight on long-term loan from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on June 17, 1996. less

Loewy donated his firm's services and initially brought four schemes, which all maintained a red theme, the Air Force standard, according to the AIGA writeup. President Kennedy chose this now-iconic design, ... more

During the Kennedy administration, the Air Force ordered a VC-137C to be the first jet made specifically for use by the President of the United States. The Air Force took delivery of the aircraft, designated SAM 26000, from Boeing on Oct. 10, 1962. less

During the Kennedy administration, the Air Force ordered a VC-137C to be the first jet made specifically for use by the President of the United States. The Air Force took delivery of the aircraft, designated ... more

Photo: U.S. Air Force

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The flight deck of the Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 is shown at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The flight deck of the Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 is shown at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Photo: U.S. Air Force

The flight deck of the Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 is shown at the... Photo-2524102.62307 - seattlepi.com

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President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy descend the stairs from Air Force One at Love Field, Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963. President Kennedy was assassinated later that day.

President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy descend the stairs from Air Force One at Love Field, Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963. President Kennedy was assassinated later that day.

President Lyndon B. Johnson in the presidential bedroom aboard the Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000. From left to right are Sen. Mike Mansfield, President Johnson, Chief Master Sgt. Paul Glynn, U.S. Navy Aide Capt. Beach and Sen. J. William Fulbright. less

President Lyndon B. Johnson in the presidential bedroom aboard the Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000. From left to right are Sen. Mike Mansfield, President Johnson, Chief Master Sgt. Paul Glynn, U.S. Navy Aide Capt. ... more

Former Presidents Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter stand on the steps in front of the Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000. President Nixon flew aboard SAM 26000 on his historic first visit by an American President to China, in February 1972, and on his visit to the Soviet Union in May 1972. It also served Nixon National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger on 13 trips to Paris for secret meetings with the North Vietnamese. Although it became the backup to SAM 27000 in December 1972, SAM 26000 went on to carry Presidents Ford, Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. less

Former Presidents Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter stand on the steps in front of the Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000. President Nixon flew aboard SAM 26000 on his historic first visit by an American ... more

President Ronald Reagan ordered the two 747-200s that now serve as the primary presidential aircraft, but they entered service after he left office. Here, Reagan throws a football toward the press on January 11, 1988 as he boards an unidentified Air Force One, probably SAM 27000, to return to Washington. SAM 27000 replaced SAM 26000 as the primary presidential jet in 1972. less

President Ronald Reagan ordered the two 747-200s that now serve as the primary presidential aircraft, but they entered service after he left office. Here, Reagan throws a football toward the press on January ... more

Photo: JEROME DELAY, AFP/Getty Images

President Ronald Reagan ordered the two 747-200s that now serve as... Photo-2524251.62307 - seattlepi.com

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The Air Force retired SAM 2600 in 1998. Here, it lands after its final flight on May 20, 1998, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The Air Force retired SAM 2600 in 1998. Here, it lands after its final flight on May 20, 1998, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Photo: U.S. Air Force

The Air Force retired SAM 2600 in 1998. Here, it lands after its... Photo-2524089.62307 - seattlepi.com

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The Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 is restored at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 is restored at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Photo: U.S. Air Force

The Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 is restored at the National Museum of... Photo-2524092.62307 - seattlepi.com

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The Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 is towed into the Presidential Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force after restoration.

The Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 is towed into the Presidential Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force after restoration.

The Air Force retired SAM 27000 in 2001. In 2003, it was flown to San Bernardino (Calif.) Airport, disassembled and trucked 100 miles to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, in Simi Valley, California.

The Air Force retired SAM 27000 in 2001. In 2003, it was flown to San Bernardino (Calif.) Airport, disassembled and trucked 100 miles to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, in Simi Valley, California.

Photo: David McNew, Getty Images

The Air Force retired SAM 27000 in 2001. In 2003, it was flown to... Photo-2524256.62307 - seattlepi.com

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Before we get to the 747s, it's worth noting that there are a couple of lesser-known jets that have carried presidents. This Lockheed VC-140B Jetstar carried Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan a number of times. It ended its 26 years of service when it was flown to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on July 16, 1987. less

Before we get to the 747s, it's worth noting that there are a couple of lesser-known jets that have carried presidents. This Lockheed VC-140B Jetstar carried Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter ... more

Photo: U.S. Air Force

Before we get to the 747s, it's worth noting that there are a... Photo-2524128.62307 - seattlepi.com

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Here, President Bill Clinton walks out of a U.S. Air Force Gulfstream C-20, a military version of a Gulfstream III, on Sept. 25, 2000, at Santa Fe City Airport.

Here, President Bill Clinton walks out of a U.S. Air Force Gulfstream C-20, a military version of a Gulfstream III, on Sept. 25, 2000, at Santa Fe City Airport.

Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS, AFP/Getty Images

Here, President Bill Clinton walks out of a U.S. Air Force... Photo-2524349.62307 - seattlepi.com

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The two current primary presidential aircraft are Boeing 747-200B-based VC-25A jets known as SAM 28000 and 29000 that entered service in 1990, during the presidency of George H.W. Bush.

The two current primary presidential aircraft are Boeing 747-200B-based VC-25A jets known as SAM 28000 and 29000 that entered service in 1990, during the presidency of George H.W. Bush.

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

The two current primary presidential aircraft are Boeing... Photo-2524353.62307 - seattlepi.com

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Pres. George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush wave before boarding Air Force One in Paris, France on Nov. 1, 1990.

Pres. George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush wave before boarding Air Force One in Paris, France on Nov. 1, 1990.

President George W. Bush talks on the phone with New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani and Gov. George Pataki aboard Air Force One on September 11, 2001.

President George W. Bush talks on the phone with New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani and Gov. George Pataki aboard Air Force One on September 11, 2001.

Photo: DOUG MILLS, AFP/Getty Images

President George W. Bush talks on the phone with New York Mayor... Photo-2524399.62307 - seattlepi.com

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President George W. Bush walks down the steps of Air Force One as he arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, in Maryland, on September 11, 2001.

President George W. Bush walks down the steps of Air Force One as he arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, in Maryland, on September 11, 2001.

Photo: DOUG MILLS, AFP/Getty Images

President George W. Bush walks down the steps of Air Force One as... Photo-2524400.62307 - seattlepi.com

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Of course, both of the current primary presidential jets were built at Boeing's wide-body plant in Everett, Wash. This one returned to its birthplace on Feb. 17, 2012, bringing President Barack Obama for a speech to Boeing employees. less

Of course, both of the current primary presidential jets were built at Boeing's wide-body plant in Everett, Wash. This one returned to its birthplace on Feb. 17, 2012, bringing President Barack Obama for a ... more

Photo: LINDSEY WASSON

Of course, both of the current primary presidential jets were built... Photo-2514618.62307 - seattlepi.com

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President Barack Obama waves as he exits Air Force One at Paine Field in Everett on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

President Barack Obama waves as he exits Air Force One at Paine Field in Everett on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Photo: LINDSEY WASSON

President Barack Obama waves as he exits Air Force One at Paine... Photo-2514620.62307 - seattlepi.com